Flushometer



Dec. Z9, 1936. E C, WlLSON log FLUSHOMETER Filed Aug.' 5, 1935 3sheets-sheet 1 455 maw 3i 65 Y X30 6 jj -f/ 57;

Z/ 5l /57 j? y j 7@ Z553 zf /5 8;; g z9- Z3 5 i 5 6/ V9 Z 75 j? j #25;Z7 /7 80 5 67 6062 l] it 47 76 /Z /j i Z5 l Inventor E'Ll'lzu wilson.

Patented Dec. 29, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT osi-ICE FLUSHOMETER Elihu C.Wilson, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application August 5, 1933, Serial No. 683,807 13 claims. (c1. 1er-93)This invention relates generallyto flush valves or ushometers used influshing systems for toilet bowlsand the like, and is more particularlyconcerned with valves of the type whereby the flushing uid is deliveredto the bowl directly from the supply line, as distinguished fromfloatcon trolled valves used in connection with delivery fromflush-tanks.

The general objects of the invention include the provision of a valvewhereby there are had exceedingly quiet deliveries of ushing nuid inpredetermined', uniform quantities irrespective of variable waterpressures or duration of time the actuating handle is depressed; a valveof great strength and durability, with its number of parts reduced toaminimum (partially by way of giving individual parts several functions)yet accurate in and readily accessible for' fine adjustments; and avalve in which the danger of by-passstoppage is reduced to a minimum. Itis a most important feature of my valve that once the actuating handleis depressed, even though it be only for an instant, a full, completecycle of operation necessarily ensues, to obvious advantage.

As is true of all valves of the type to which this invention isdirected, my valve requires an initial manual operation, whereupon itcontinues to deliver flushing water until there is a delayed, automaticshut-off of ow.

In order better tov point out my advance, I wil briefly describe certainprior art devices and some of their shortcomings. This is not done inthe spirit of derogation, but merely to lay'a foundation upon which tobase distinguishing characteristics of my invention.

Such prior art devices include a body member having a main fluid'passageway adapted to be traversed by a main valve carried by a pistonreciprocally mounted in a cylinder, uid from the passageway beingadmitted under pressure to the cylinder, and the stopper normallyclosing oi the passageway.

There is provided a relief valve for the cylinder chamber at one side ofthe piston, and, when it is desired to open the main valve, the reliefvalve is first manually opened, this resulting in a lowering of pressureat said one side of the piston, the consequently predominant pressure atthe other side of the piston moving said piston in a direction to openthe main-valve. However, the pressure-relief and consequent openingmovement of the main valve continues only so long as the relief valve ismanually held open, which frequently is only an instant. It follows thatthe main valve must open very quickly and the closing thereof must beconsiderably delayed in order to insure an'ample flushing discharge.`The delay is accomplished, after the relief valve is closed by theoperators release of the actuating handle, by the provision of a verysmall by-pass orii'lce 5 which slowly admits line-pressure to thepartially exhausted cylinder chamber, the pressure thus slowly buildingup to cause a delayed return of the main valve to closed position.

This type of control leads to several serious 10 faults. In the rstplace, the operator may or may not hold the reliefvalve open long enoughto insure a full opening of the main valve, thus leading to non-uniformand consequent inefficient flushing discharge. Often the flushingdischarge 15 is insufficient due to a premature release of the actuatinghandle, calling for a second flushing operation with consequent waste.On the otherhand, an operator, after realizing the consequences ofpremature release, often holds the re- 20 lief valve open aninordinately long time to4 insure amplev flushing, and thereby causesconsid'- erable waste of Water each time he operates the valve.

An attempt to reduce the evils of the above 25 situationhas been made byarranging for a sudden and, as nearly as possible, full-opening of themain valve the instant the relief Valve is opened. This sudden openingof the main valve produces a violent rush of water, under full 30pressure, through the valve, driving the air in the discharge pipethrough the small perforations in the toilet fixture and causing veryobjectionable hissing noises. Furthermore, the rapid rush of waterproduces a partial vacuum, giving rise +3 5g, gulping noises.

Since, with these suddenly openedI valves, the adequacy of the iiushingdischarge depends on a slow closing of the valve, it follows that thebypass orice controlling the closing movement must 40 be very small,with a consequent great liability of stoppage by foreign matter. Suchstoppage, in any degree, throws the valve mechanism out of time, and ifat all aggravated, renders the valve entirely inoperative. Furthermore,the closing 45 of the valve is slowed down to such an extent thatdisagreeabley throttling noises result.

I overcome the above objectionable features primarily by utilizing anovel control principle. Instead of depending upon a sudden opening andgreatly delayed closing of the main valve in order to insure adequateflushing discharge, I have devised means whereby the main valve opensrelatively slowly, regardless of the length of time the operatormanipulates the relief valve, assurv515 ing an adequate, uniform andquiet ushingdischarge. This is accomplishedin the illustrated embodimentof my invention by vmeans of a retainer which, once Ythe operator hasopened the relief valve, releasably holds that valve open until the mainvalve has reached a predetermined position (normally full-open). Therelief valve is then automatically freed from the retaining means andreturns to closed position, whereupon the main valve closes by reason ofthe restoration of line pressure in the previously relieved cylinderchamber, such lrestoration being by way of the by-pass orifice.

Since the period of main valve operation is in no way dependent upon thelength of time the operator depresses the actuating handle of the reliefvalve, the main valve may be timed to give the most efficient results.For instance, its opening movement may extend over a relatively longperiod, giving an initially slow and gradually increasing flushingvolume which eliminates the noises incident to sudden valve-opening.With this opportunity to discharge a, relatively large volume offlushing water during theopening movement of the valve, it is possibleto speed up the closing movement thereof and thus eliminate thethrottling noises incident to excessively slow closing.

And it will be seen that the volume-of water discharged will always bein predetermined amount, the timing of the main valve being independentof the operation of the actuating means, except for initiation. Certainadjustments whereby this timing may be altered will be spoken of later.

Since the closing of the main valve may be relatively fast, the by-passorifice controlling this movement may be relatively large, with aconsequent diminishment of clogging liability. As an added feature Ihave utilized this by-pass as a part of the control passageway throughwhich the pressure is relieved from the cylinder chamber, yet I have soarranged the various elements that this relatively large orifice is noteffective to allow relief of pressure (controlling` the opening movementof the valve) in the same degree as it allows the rebuilding of pressure(controlling the closing movement of the main valve.) This is done bysetting up a back-pressure or baffling action yduring the openingmovement of the main valve, whereby the relief of pressure from thecylinder chamber is partially offset or resisted by incoming linepressure, thus reducing the speed of the opening movement of the mainvalve. Thus, the single by-pass orifice plays its part in both theopening and closing phases of main-valve movement, but has differentialeffectiveness during the two phases. It has the advantage of giving alarge orifice as far as its non-clogging and fast-fluid-passingcharacteristics are concerned during the closing movement of the mainvalve, and yet it becomes effective only as a smaller orifice (Withoutthe clogging propensities thereof) when its office is to act as aretardant to valve-opening movement.

Additionally, during each vcycle of operation, fluid flows alternatelyin opposite directions through the by-pass orifice, flushing the orificein a manner to maintain it clear of foreign matter. This feature isdistinguished from the bypass arrangement in usual valves wherein thefluid flows through the by-pass in one direction only, tending to lodgemoresecurely and pile up any foreign matterwhich may find its way to theorifice.

`ed relationship of these elements.

the main valve has been moved to open position; l

Fig. 5 is a section on line 5-5 of Fig. l;

Fig. 6 is a section on line 6 6 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a gasket used in connection .with theby-pass orifice;

Fig. 8 is a detached, side elevation of the main valve and pistonassembly;

Fig. 9 is a detached view of a variational form of valve sleeve;

Fig. l0 is a view generally similar to Fig. 1, except that it ispartially in elevation and shows the valve sleeve of Fig. 9 substitutedfor the valve sleeve shown in Fig. l; and

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 10 but showing the main valve in openposition.

In the following description of the illustrated embodiment of myinvention, I will make reference to particular structuralcharacteristics and particular locations of passageways, orifices,valves, etc., but it is to be understood that such references are not tobe considered as limitative on the broader aspects of the invention. Forinstance, one broad aspect of the invention has to do With the novelassociation of the control passageway, relief valve, relief valveretainer, by-

pass orifice, and an orifice leading from the main fluid passageway tothe cylinder chamber at one side of the piston, and certain of mybroader claims are drawn to this association without specifying certainparticularities of the illustrat- However, I have illustrated anembodiment of the invention wherein these certain particularities are inthemselves novel and give particularly efficient results. Hence they aremade the subject-matter of individual claims but are not to beconsidered as controlling the broader claims to the general association.For instance, I have shown the controlpassage, the relief valve, and theseveral orifices all incorporated inl the main valve and piston assemblyand movable bodily therewith, and claims have been drawn to thisparticular feature, though it is not essential to the operativeness ofthe general association as expressed in the broader claims.

The numeral I0 designates a tubular body member, usually of cast brass,to the bore I I of which opens laterally extending inlet I2 arrangedforthreaded attachment at I3 to a supply line (not shown). The downwardlyopening outletof the valve is indicated at I4, being provided at I5 forthreaded connection with the flushing line of the toilet fixture (notshown).

' Concentric with bore I I and outlet I4 is an upstanding annular flangeor discharge pipe I6 which is spaced annularly from the outer wall ofthe body member. Inserted within a groove I'I at the base of ange I6 isa replaceable seating ring I8 of rubber or the like, while the upper endI9 of the flange provides a sealing face, as will later be madeapparent.

I will designate the main fluid passage through the valve by letter M(see Fig. 4) this passageway extending from inlet I2 and through thebore 20 of flange -I6 to outlet I4.

'I'he valve assembly V, which includes a pistonactuated main-valvestopper, -is movable vertically through bore II oi the body member toand from a position closing 01T ange-bore 20 and hence passageway M.While this valve is shown as having a double seat, giving decidedadvantages which will later be pointed out, it will bc understood thischaracteristic is not essential to the operation of the valve and is notto be considered as limitative on the broader aspects of the invention.

Assembly V includes a body portion 2I of cupshaped configuration, thelower portion 22 being of reduced outside diameter and externallythreaded to take th'e depending, valve-stopper sleeve 23 of the mainvalve, said sleeve having sliding fit over flange I6, leaving the boreof said ange unobstructed. Flange I6 thus forms a centering guide formaintaining assembly V in proper position during reciprocation thereof.

Body portion 2I has a. depending annular ange 24 about which is tted areplaceable seating ring 25, of rubber` or the like, said ring beingclamped between the under face of portion 22 and the upwardly facingannular shoulder 26 on sleeve 23. 'Ihis seat ring is adapted to engagefiange end I9 in fluid-tight relation when the main valve is closed asin Fig. 1, and since the ring is radially confined between flange 24 andsleeve 23, it is held from radial spreading even though it be engagedwith flange I6 repeatedly and under heavy pressure, to obviousadvantage. The lower end 2I of sleeve 23 is adapted to engage seat ringI8 to effect a fluid-tight closure at that point simultaneously with theeiecting of a seal at Ill-25, the sealing burden thus being dividedbetween two areas and greatly prolonging the useful lives of each. Itwill also be seen that packing ring I8 is radially conned between thedefining walls of groove I'I, to prevent radial spreading of saidpacking in a manner similar to that described in connection with packing25. The double seat has a further advantage which will be discussed at alater point in the description.

vertically extending passageways or channels 28 are sunk in the innerface of sleeve 23 (see Figs. 4 and 5) these passageways graduallydiminishing in cross-sectional area or eiective opening at their upperends 29.

Body portion 2l is internally threaded to take the depending flange 30of head 3|, the laterally extending annuli 3Ia and 32 of piston leathers33 and 34, respectively, being clamped between body portion 2I and head3l.. Piston leathers 33 and 34 are cup-shaped with their flangesdisposed oppositely and in engagement with the walls of cylinder 35which makes up a portion of body member I0. The cylinder chamber abovethe piston, which will be generally designated as 36, is indicated at B,while the cylinder chamber below piston 36 is indicated at A, it beingnoted that piston leathers 33 and 34 face toward the compartments B andA respectively, so fluid under pressure within those chambers tends tomaintain the leathers in fluid-tight` engagement with the cylinderwalls.

Body portions 2| and head 3l define the pistonhollow or chamber H whichmay be considered as intermediate chambers A and B. An orifice 31 inbody portion 2| maintains compartment H in constant communication withmain iiuid passageway M at the inlet side of main valve sleeve 23,

it being noted that the assembly above sleeve 23 forms a barrier againstthe direct iiow of fluid Vfrom inlet I2 to the bore of flange I6 whenthe 40 has a plurality of orifices 45, 45a, 45h, and 45e of graduateddiameters, which orifices are adapted to be brought selectively intoregistration with' passageway 38. In radial alinement with each discorifice is a notch or recess 46 adapted to take registering lug 43. Thewall defining each notch may be considered a stop-shoulder. Thus, byunscrewing clamping screw 4I until disk may be lifted clear of lug 43,the orifice disk may bek rotated to bring any chosen orice intoregistration with passageway 38. The clamping screw 4I is then threadeddownwardly to clamp the disk in selected position and in uid-tightrelation,

`through gasket 39, with the top of head 3|, lug

43 engaging the corresponding notch 46 to insure that the disk may notbe inadvertently rotated out of selected position. The chosen orifice 45rep-l resents the by-pass orifice, the office of which will be latermade apparent, as will also the purpose of providing for a selection oforices.

The bottom wall 41 of body portion 2l has a central opening 48 which isnormally adapted to be closed by the relief or auxiliary valve generallyindicated at 49. This valve embodies a circular head 50 having a downturned annular flange 5I normally adapted to seat in fluid-tightengagement on replaceable seat-ring 52, of rubber or the like, whichring is conned in groove 53 located concentrically with respect toopening 48. Head 58 has a conical extension 54 which takes and centersthe lower end of compression spring 55, the upper end'of this springbeing centered by the depending boss 56 on head 3I. The spring has aconstant tendency to urge valve 49 to closed position.

Depending from head 50 is a stem or extension 5l which extends withannular clearance through orice 48, this annular clearance representingthe effective full-open area ofthe relief valve when head 50 is liftedor tilted from its position of Fig. 1. While the relief valve may be ofany type suitable for the purpose, and my broaderv claims contemplatesuch a consideration, the utilization of a tilt valve for this purposeis particularly feasible, and therefore is the type of valveillustrated.

Stem 51 extends downwardly through bore 20 of flange I6 and theeffective length thereof is a controlling factor in the timing of thevalve, as will appear. While it lies within the scope of the inventionmerely to cut the stem to an effective length which will give apermanent predetermined timing to the valve (as far as reliefvalvemovement is concerned), as a matter of convenience I may render the stemlongitudinally adjustable so the valve timing may be varied to suitdifferent conditions. In the illustrated embodiment of the inventionthis is accomplished by making the stem longitudinally telescopic, witha threaded joint between the stem sections.

vupper section 58 has a threaded portion 59 of reduced diameter, uponwhich may be slipped a desired number of shims 60. The lower section 6|4of the stern has a central, threaded bore 62 adapted to take threadedextremity 59. By varying the number of shims and` then screwing section6| upwardly to a position of tight engagement with the lowermost shim,the effective length of stem 51 may be varied.

The lower end of section 6| tapers downwardly at 63 and terminates in atip 64 of materially reduced diameter. v

I utilize a retainer in connection with the relief valve stem, and whileany suitable type of catch may be employed for this purpose,irrespective of its individual nature and place of attachment, I haveillustrated a retainer or spring-clip which has been found to functionparticularly well. l 'The retainer is generally indicated at B5, beingmade of a non-corrosive spring material and comprising an arcuate bodyportion 66 which is sprung into the groove 61 cut in body member I8 at apoint below discharge pipe |G. 'Ihe two arms or ends of the retainingmember are struck back convergently at 68 and 69 to form a fork anddefining a convergent guide-passageway or mouth 10a leading torestricted throat 10, smaller than the major outside diameter of stem51, the retainer being positioned so stern 51 lies opposite mouth 10.The tips 1| and 12 of the retainer are struck reversely to form adiverging confinement and guide channel 1'3, for a purpose to be laterset forth.

The tilt-valve actuator generally indicated at 14 includes a plunger orthrust rod 15 having sliding fit through bore 16 which is located tobring the end of the thrust rod directly in line with stem 51.

The outer end of rod 15 carries a head 11 which is confined forhorizontal sliding movement through the bore of bonnet nut 18 threadedto body member |0 at 19. The end of nut 18 is turned over as at 18a toconne the flange 80 of actuating handle 8|. Packing 82 is utilized topack-olf rod 15 where it passes through bore 16, a follower or gland 83being positioned on the stem as illustrated. A compression spring 84encircles rod 15 and bears at its opposite ends against head 11 andfollower 83. This spring has the three-fold function of (1) maintainingfollower 83 in pressural engagement with packing 82 to constantlycompress the latter about the rod, (2) yieldinglymaintaining rod 15 ininoperative position (and, of course, returning it to inoperativeposition after it has been manually thrust into operative position andthen released) and, (3) through the engagement of rod head 11 with theend of handle 8|, yieldingly maintaining handle ,8| in at rest position.The mounting of handle 8| in nut 18 may be considered as one allowinguniversal movement of the handle to operative position. In other words,the handle 8| may be rocked in any direction (such as downwardly to theposition of Fig. 2) which results in rod 15 being thrust to the right,swinging the tilt-valve to open position, as illustrated in that figure.

With valve 49 thus open there is established communication from chamberB through bypass orifice 45, chamber H 'and orifice v48 to the bore 20of discharge pipe |6 and thence to outlet I4. This course will be termedthe control passageway" and is indicated in Fig. 2 by the line C. Asmentioned at the forepart of the specification, the broader aspects ofthe invention do not demand that this control passageway be located inthe movable, main valve assembly V,

nor does it necessarily include a chamber such relief valve and itsspring is of decided advantage, though not controlling on the broaderaspects of the invention.

The upper end of cylinder 35 is closed by cap 86, having a wrench-takinghead 81. Preferably a gasket 88 is provided to insure the uidtight t ofthis cap. It will be seen that by removing cap 86, the entire piston andvalve assembly V may be bodily removed from or inserted in the cylinder,and that likewise this cap provides for easy access to the clampingscrew 4| and orifice disk 4I for adjustment or cleaning. The convenienceand utility of these features will be self-evident.

As the feature of special advantage, all elements through whichrestricted orices extend (disk 48, body portion 2|, head 3|, and sleeve23) are preferably made of non-metallic, non-magnetic'and non-corrosivematerial, such as bakelite. Thus are avoided the corrosive effects,especially where ,the iiushing water is relatively high in alkalicontent, which would tend to alter the effective openings of suchorifices 'were they provided through metallic elements. Furthermore,there are no metal-to-metal contacts between the working parts oiassembly V, electrolytic action therebetween, with its corrosiveeffects, thus being avoided.

It will be also noted that the elements of assembly V are very simplyinterconnected by large-diameter, screw-threaded joints, which not onlycontribute to rapid and easy assembly operations, but also avoid the useof smally screws,

4pins and the like which are always a source of trouble in a mechanismof this character.

Should foreign matter be carried into orifice 45 from the uid supplyline and, for some unaccountable reason lodge in said orifice in spiteof the alternate flow of fluid in opposite directions therethrough, theorifice may be easily cleaned by removing cap 82 and merely running awire downwardly through the orifice. While most flush valves do not havea means for regulating the by-pass orifice, those thatv are providedwith such an adjustment usually depend upon needle valves, which areparticularly prone to become clogged and are particularly difficult toclean. As distinguished from that situation it will be seen that theselected orifice in .disk 40 is entirely unobstructed by adjustingmechanism, and therefore that in any position oi' adjustment to whichthe disk may be put, the e'ective orifice is fully open and accessiblethrough out its extent.

In describing the operation oi' the valve. it will first be assumed thatit is in the condition of Figure 1, fluid under supply-pressure standingin chambers A, B and H, the fluid in chamber B having been admittedthrough orice 31, chamber H and orifice 45. However, since the up-4wardly exposed, effective pressure area of the piston is greater thanthe downwardlyl exposed 'effective pressure area, the assembly V isvheld down to effect a barrier in passageway M between inlet |2 andoutlet I4.

When handle 8| is rocked (for instance, as in Fig. 2) thrust rod 15 ismoved to the right in that figure. its end engaging stem 51 and thustilting relief or auxiliary valve 49 to the position of Fig'. 2. .'I'hismovement of stem 51 spreads retainer arms 68 and 69 to pass the stemthrough throat 10 into the dotted line position of Fig. 5, the retainerarms then springing back to hold said stem releasably in its position ofangularity with respect to the vertical'axis of the main valve and thusreleasably maintaining the relief valve in tilted or open condition.Retention of the relief valve in open position is thus accomplishedautomatically upon the actuation of handle 8i, although the actuation ofthe handle may be only for an instant, so immediately thereafter saidhandle may be released, whereupon spring 84 returns rod 15 and handle 8Ito the position of Fig. 1, though the relief valve is still held open.

With relief valve 49 lthus open, the pressure in cylinder chamber B isrelieved, fluid therefrom passing downwardly through orifice 45, chamberH, orifice 48, bore 29 and thence outwardly through discharge opening I4to the toilet fixture. At the same time, fluid under pressure from inletI2 enters chamber H through orifice 31, setting up a back pressure insaid chamber, which slows down the rate of relief from cylinderchamberB, the significance of which will later be made apparent. The followingproportionate sizes of orifices, and as indicated in the drawings, hasbeen found to give satisfactory results: the effective opening oforifice 31 somewhat greater than that of orifice 45, and theeiectiveopening of orifice 48 somewhat greater than that of orifice 31.

As the pressure in chamber B is thus relieved, the consequent predominant pressure in chamber A moves assembly V upwardly, the relativesizes of the orifices being such as to give a predetermined relativelyslow rate of ascension. As assembly V moves upwardly toward the positionof Fig. 4, the main fluid passageway M is opened, fluid from inlet I2passing under the lower end of sleeve 23, thence upwardly throughpassageways 28, and then over end I9 of discharge pipe I6, anddownwardly through bore 29 to discharge outlet I4, whence it passes tothe toilet fixture. However, during the initial opening movement of thevalve, passage of fiuid through channels 28 is relatively retarded dueto restrictions 29, the initial discharge of water being thus restrictedto a relatively small flow, but progressively increasing as the mainvalve rises. This initially slow and gradually increasing rate ofdischarge avoids the gulping noises and splashing commonto valves whichopen suddenly to full-discharge position. While this is not controllingon the invention, in the illustrated embodiment of the invention,maximum fiow is not had until sleeve 23 has moved upwardly abouttwo-thirds of its full travel.

Now my invention broadly contemplates subsequent, automatic movement ofthe tilt-valve to closed position (to initiate closing movement v`of themain valve) by virtue of opening movement of the main valve. I haveillustrated an arrangement whereby this is accomplished in a particularway and have drawn 'individual claimsthereto, but it is to be understoodthis`choie is not limitative on the invention. v

Relief valve 49, in open condition, is carried upwardly with the mainvalve in its movement towards open position, stem 58 being drawnupwardly through but not laterally freed from retainer 6 5. Theeffective length of stem 51 is suc that as the main valve reaches apredetermine position (assuring ample flushing-discharge) thf majordiameter portion of said stem is lifted clear of arms 1I-12, whereuponstem 51 is free to swing back to normal position, closing relief valve49. Spring 55 aids in this return. Stem tip 64 is of such. a. diameterthat it may swing through retainer mouth 10 without interference, afunction of the tip being to insure that the stem does not by anypossibility swing transversely out ofline with the opening between theretainer arms and subsequently hang-up on the retainer.

It will also be evident that varying the length of stem 51, eitherthrough the selective use of onepiece valve stems of different lengthsor by the screw-'thread and shim adjustment illustrated, is effective tovary the time at which the relief valve is automatically released andhence to vary the extent to which the main valve opens.

With the return of the ,relief valve to closed position, flow throughcontrol passageway C is y again interrupted, and supply line pressureadmitted to chamber H through orifice 31 restores the pressure inchamber B through by-pass orifice 45. The pressures in chambers A, B andH finally become equalized, but due to the greater effective areaexposed to the pressure in chamber B, the valve assembly V is moveddownwardly,

toward closing position. As the main valve appreaches its lowermost orclosing position, the amount of discharge is gradually diminished due torestrictions 29 in the passageways 28, the volume of water admittedthrough restrictions 29 being insufiicient to continue the siphoning ofthe toilet fixture and thereforepermitting the Water iiowing after suchcessation of siphoning to act as an afterfiow to provide an adequaterefill of the toilet bowl.

As the main valve reaches closed position, the

l seals at I9 and 21 simultaneously come into play,

each seal reducing the pressure of the water flow therethrough, backingup the water between seals to reduce the Velocity of iiow and thusmodifying the wire-drawing noises incident to the fin closing movementof usual valves.

Now due to the provision for automatically retaining the relief valve inopen position and the consequent ability to give the sought-for slow butfull opening movement to the main valve, it is vassured'that an ampleflushing discharge may b e had, and that a considerable portion of thisdischarge may occur during the opening movement of the main valve.Consequently, the closing movement of the main valve may be relativelyrapid, to the advantageous ends pointed out above. 'Ihis results in theability to make bypass orifice 45 of relatively large size, asdistinguished from the relatively small by-p'ass ori'- ces used invalves where the closing movement of the main valve must be very slow inorder to insure an adequate discharge. In fact, I find it possible tomake this by-pass orifice of four or ve times the area of usualby-passes, and have accordingly as greatly diminished the liability ofby-pass cloggage.

However, since orifice 45 is effective in controlling the rate ofrelieving the pressure from chamber B in order to control the rate ofmain valve opening, as well as controlling the rate at which thepressure is rebuilt in that chamber to control the closing movement ofthe valve, and since it is usually desirable that the rate of opening beslower than the rate of closing, orifice 45 s given differentialeffectiveness in these two i phases of operation. It is in thisconnection that the admission of line pressure through orifice 31Aduring the ascension of the valve, comes into play.

IIS4

v 'I'his situation may be set forth as follows (assuming that thesupply-line pressure remains constant). The rate of ascension or openingmovement of the main valve is in accordance with the relief of pressurein chamber B, and this relief occurs in accordance with the lowering ofpressure in chamber H. Hence the rate of opening movement depends inpart upon the sizes of orifices 45 and 49. However, since full linepressure stands constantly at orifice 31 and hence is constantly tendingto build up pressure in chamber H to compensate partially for thepressuredrop occasioned through the opening of orifice 48, thepressure-drop in chamber H is retarded to an extent whichdiminishes therelief of pressure from above the valve assembly and hence slows downthe rate of main valve opening. It will be seen that the back-pressurecreated in chamber H depends in part upon the fact that supplylinepressure is admitted at 31 to control passage C at a point intermediatethe relief valve orifice 48 and by-pass orifice 45. Of course, relieforifice 48 is sufficiently large to insure an ultimate relief ofpressure'in chamber B at the desired rate, in spite of the iniiowthrough orifice 31,`

ciently large to give a relatively rapid valve-closing movement and yetsaid relatively large orifice is effective only as a smaller orificewhen it plays its `part in controlling the valve opening movement. Andthis differential effectiveness of the orifice is accomplished solely byfiuid pressure means which, rather than calling for the imposition ofadjusting means in connection with the orifice with a consequentliability of stoppage, actually tends to maintain the orifice clear ofany obstruction, forI it will be seen that fluid flows in one directionthrough this orifice during one phase of operation, and in the oppositedirection during another phase of operation, this alternate flow havinga fiushing and cleansing effect.

To recapitulate, the rate of yvalve opening 55 lmovement is dependentupon the relative sizes of manner to decrease the relief effectivenessof orifice 45 .even if orifice 31 did not open into the control passage,but the illustrated association of orifices gives particularly goodresults.

While the length of stem 51 may be varied to adjust the timing of thevalve even though the supply line pressure and the size of the by-passorifice be unchanged, it is found that various service-pressureconditions sometimes call for an orifice adjustment. In other words, thesupply line pressure is a factor in determining the rate of pressurerelief and pressure build-up in chamber B and hence is a factor in therate at which the main valve opens and closes, and accordingly as thispressure is relatively high or relatively low the by-pass opening mustbe relatively small and relatively large, respectively, in order toinsure that the valve opens and closes at such a rate as will insure anadequate and substantially uniform volume of fiushingdischarge, it beingrealized that ythe amount of discharge should be substantially uniformirrespective of the supply line pressure.' It is to meet this situationthat I have provided the adjustable orifice disk 40, with all itsindividual features of advantage spoken of above. l

In Figures 9, 10 and 1l I have illustrated a variational form of valvesleeve, Figure 10 showing the main valve as closed and Fig. 11 showingit open. The iiushometer structure'outside of this sleeve, is preciselythat described before, and therefore the parts will be given the samereference numerals except that they will be primed.

Sleeve 23' is guided on discharge pipe I6 and has sealing seat at 21'and I9', just as described in connection with sleeve 23. However, thefluid passageways 28', instead of being cut merely as channels in a wallofthe sleeve and extending straight through the wall of the sleeve, itfollowing that when the valve is open the fluid is free to pass directlythrough the sleeve instead of beneath its lower end. However,passageways 28 have upper restricted portions 29', which correspond torestrictions 29 in function. Further, the side defining walls 29" whichlead from the major width of a given passageway toits restriction 29',are convergent. It will thus be seen that when sleeve 23', starts itsupward movement, only a limited flow of water is allowed throughrestrictions 29', and that this iiow is gradually increased to full flowas sleeve 23 rises, having the same advantageous effects described inconnection with the preferred embodiment. Likewise, during the closingmovement of the main valve, the discharge fiow through passageways 28'is cut down due to restrictions 29 as the valve approaches closedposition, thus giving the after-flow effect mentioned in connection withthe preferred embodiment.

While I have shown and described preferred embodiments of my inventionit will be understood that the various changes in design, structure andarrangement may be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a fiushometer, a body member having in- 1 let and outlet openingsand a main fiuid passageway from inlet to outlet, a main valve movableto and from passageway-closing position at a point intermediate theinlet and outlet and normally held in closing position, a cylinder, apiston in the cylinder and connected to the valve in a manner wherebypiston reciprocation moves the valve as above, there being 'an orificethrough one of the walls defining a given cylinder chamber at one sideof the pistonthe cylinder chamber at the other side of the piston beingin communication with said passageway at the inlet side of the valve,there being a control passageway from said'orifice and discharging atthe outlet side of the main valve, there being an orifice and a valvetherefor for controlling the discharge from the control passageway,manually actuated means for opening said orifice valve, and `there beinga third orifice allowing communication between said main passageway atthe inlet side of the main valve and the control passageway at a pointintermediate the rst mentioned and valved `orices, the sizes `of the rstmentioned and third orices being factors in determining the rate offluid flow into said given cylinder chamber when said valved orice isclosed, such fluid flow pressing the piston in a direction to closethe-main valve, and the sizes of all said orices being factors indetermining the rate of uid-discharge from said given cylinder chamberthrough the control passageway when said valved oriilce is open, therelative sizes of said orifices being isuch as to create back-pressurebetween the open valved orifice and the first mentioned orifice, byreason of the fluid-flow from said main passageway through said thirdorifice into the control passageway, of a magnitude to reduce the rateof fluid-flow, from the given cylinder chamber through the rst mentionedoriiice into the control passageway, below the full discharge capacityof said first-mentioned orice; the restricted fluid-discharge from thegiven cylinder chamber allowing the consequently predominant pressure inthe other cylinder chamber to move the piston in a direction to open themain valve; and means associated with the orice-valve to delay itsclosure for a predetermined period after it has been manually opened.

2. In a fiushometer, a body member having inlet and outlet openings anda main fluid passageway from inlet to outlet, and a valve for saidpassageway, said valve embodying an upright annular ange in thepassageway and with its opposite ends adapted to be in communicationwith the inlet and outlet sides of the passageway,A

and an inverted-cup stopper having its skirtportion encircling theflange, said stopper being vertically reciprocable over the ange andadapted to close oi the flange bore when the stopper is in its lowermostposition, there being vertically extending huid-passageways formed inthe skirt-portion of the stopper, said passageways leading from the boreof the skirt portion to the exterior thereof and effective to pass uidfrom the inlet side of themain passageway to the bore of the flange whenthe stopper is raised from its lowermost position, said passageways inthe skirt portion being diminished in eiective size at the upper endsthereof.

3. In a ilushometer, a body member having inlet and outlet openings anda main uid passageway from inlet to outlet, a main valve movable to andfrom passageway-closing position at a point intermediate the inlet andoutlet and normally held in closing position, uid being freed forpassage from inlet through outlet when the main valvevis initiallyopened, and fluid pressure operated means for opening and closing themain valve and including a vertical cylinder, a piston in the cylinderand connected to the valve in a manner whereby piston reciprocationmoves the valve as above, the cylinder chambers at opposite sides of thepiston being normally in communication with said passageway at the inletside of the valve, there being a control passageway from a relativelyrestricted orifice opening to the cylinder chamber above the piston anddischarging through a second orifice at the outlet side of. the mainvalve, a normally-closed auxiliary valve for opening and closing saidsecond orice, the communication between the inlet side of the main fluidpassageway and said upper chamber being by way of a third orificeopening from said inlet side to said control passageway at a pointbetween said restricted orifice and the auxiliary valve, the thirdoriilce being of greater eiective opening than the restricted orifice,and the second oriiice being of greater effective opening than the thirdoriflce;"\and means for operating said auxiliary valve, and includingmeans holding the auxiliary valve open during the time of initial owfrom inlet through outlet asl allowed by virtue of initial opening oftheVmain valve, said auxiliary valve being released from the holding meansby virtue of opening movement of the main valve to a predetermined,position.

4. In a iiushometer, a body member having a fluid passageway, avertically movable main valve for the passageway,iiuid-pressure-operated means for opening and closing said valve, anauxiliary tilt' valve carried by and movable with the main valve andhaving a stem, said tilt valve being adapted to be opened and closed bytilting movement for controlling the application of uid pressure to saidmeans, manually actuated means for tilting the valve to open it, saidsternv being moved laterally in one direction and in a given axial planewhen the valve is so tilted, and a retainer adapted to delay subsequentclosing movement of the tilt valve for a predetermined period, said'retainer embodying members defining a throat which is restricted withrelation to the diameter of the stem, said throat being in said axialplane and in the path of lateral movement of the stern, one, at least,of said dening members being resiliently movable and being adapted toyield and thereby allow the stem to pass through said throat to aposition behind the retainer when the stem is moved laterally in saidone direction and then to return to restricting position, the stem beingthereafter free for vertical movement and being lifted from behind saidretainer upon subsequent upward vertical movement of the main valve'.

5. In a flushometer, a body member having a fluid passageway, avertically movable main valve for the passageway,iiuid-pressure-operated means for opening and closing said valve, anauxiliary tilt valve carried by and movable with the main valve andhaving a stem, said tilt valve being adapted to be opened and closed bytilting movement for controlling the application of uid pressure to saidmeans, manually actuated means for tilting the valve to open it, saidstem being moved laterally in one direction and in a given axial planeAwhen the valve is so tilted, and a retainer adapted to delay subsequentclosing movementof the tilt valve for a predetermined period, saidvretainer embodying members defining a. throat which is restricted withrelation to the diameter of the stem, said throat being in said axialplane and in thepath of lateral movement of the stern, one, at least, ofsaid dening members being resiliently movable and being adapted to yieldand thereby allow the stem to pass through said throat to a positionbehind the retainer when the stem is moved laterally in said onedirection and then to return to restricting position, the stem beingthereafter free for vertical movement and being lifted from behind saidretainer upon subsequent upward vertical movementof the main valve, thefree end of said stem tapering downward to a tip of a diameter smallerthan the width of the throat and adapted to pass back through the throatwhen the stem is so lifted a predetermined extent.

6. In a ilushometer, a body member having a iiuidl passageway, a mainvalve for the passageway, fluid-pressure-operated means for opening andclosing said valve, an auxiliary tilt valve having a stem, said tiltvalve being adapted to be opened and closed by tilting movement forcontrolling the application of fluid pressure to said means, manuallyactuated means for tilting the valve to open it, said stem being movedlaterally in one direction when the valve is so tilted. and a retaineradapted i delay subsequent closing movement of the tilt valve for apredetermined period, said retainer embodying a resilient clip having anarcuate portion sprung into a groove in the wall of the body member, andradial arms at the ends oi' the arcuate portion, said arms converginginwardly and being disposed in the path of lateral movement of saidstem.

7. In a fiushometer, a body member having a fluid passageway, a mainvalve for the passageway, fluid-pressure-operated means for opening andclosing said valve, an auxiliary tilt valve having a stem, said tiltvalve being adapted to be opened and closed by tilting movement forcontrolling the application of fluid pressure to said means, manuallyactuated means for tilting the valve to open it, said stem being movedlaterally in one direction when the valve is so tilted, and a retaineradapted to delay subsequent closing movement of the tilt valve for apredetermined period, said retainer embodying a resilient clip having anarcuate portion sprung into a groove in'the wall of the body member, andradial arms at the ends of the arcuate portion, said arms converginginwardly to define a guiding mouth leading toward a restricted throat,said mouth being disposed in the path of lateral movement of said stem,said armsdiverging at the opposite side of said throat.

8. In a flushometer, a substantially cylindrical body having afluid-passageway, a main valve for the passageway, fluid-pressureoperated means for vertically reciprocating the valve to open and closeit, an auxiliary tilt valve carried by the main valve in itsreciprocation and adapted to be tilted open and closed for controllingthe application of pressure to said means, said tilt valve having adepending member, manually actuated means for tilting the auxiliaryvalve open and thereby swinging said member directly in a radial planeof the body, and a retainer associated with the tilt valve and adaptedto delay its closure for a predetermined 'period and then unrestrainedlypermit its closure, said retainer embodying a latch on the body andmovable transversely of the body axis to latchingly engage the dependingmember when it is so swung, said depending member being subsequentlymovable vertically clear of the latch member without transverse movementof the latch member and without the latch member offering restraint tosuch vertical movement when the main valve lifts the tilt valve apredetermined distance.

9. In a flushometer, a substantially cylindrical body member having afluid-passageway, a main valve for the passageway, fluid-pressureoperated means for vertically reciprocating the valve to open and closeit, an auxiliary tilt valve carried by the main valve in itsreciprocation and adapted to be tilted open and closed for controllingthe application of pressure to said means, said tilt valve having adepending member, manually actuated means for tilting the auxiliaryvalve open and thereby swinging said member directly in a radial planeof the body member,l and a retainer associated with the tilt valve andadapted to delay its closure for a predetermined period and thenunrestrainedly permit its closure, said retainer embodying, a latch onone of'the members and movable transversely of the body axis tolatchingly engage a portion of the other member when said dependingmember is so swung, said portion and latch being subsequently relativelyvertically lmovable clear of oneanother, without transverse movement ofthe latch and without the retaining member oering restraint to suchverticalmovement when the main valve lifts the tilt valve apredetermined distance. v

l0. In a flushometer, a body member having inlet and outlet openings anda main yfluid passageway from inlet to outlet, a main valve movable toand from passageway-closing position at a point intermediate the inletand outlet and normally held in closing position, a vertically arrangedcylinder, a piston in the cylinder and having a hollow, said pistonbeing connected to the valve in a manner whereby piston reciprocationmoves the valve as above, there being an orifice opening from the pistonhollow to the cylinder chamber above the piston, the cylinder chamberbelow the .piston being in communication with said passageway at theinlet side of the valve, a discharge orifice opening from the pistonhollow to the outlet side of the main valve, a valve for controlling thedischarge from the piston hollow through the discharge orifice,manlually actuated means for opening the discharge valve, and therebeing a third orifice opening' through the side of the piston from themain passageway at the inlet side of themain valve to the piston hollowat a point intermediate the first mentioned and discharge orifice, thesizes of the first and third mentioned orifices being factors indetermining the rate of fluid flow into the cylinder chamber above thepiston when the valve for the discharge orifice is closed, such fluidflow pressing the piston in a`direction to close the main valve, and thesizes of all said orifices being factors in determining the rate offluiddischarge from the cylinder chamber above the piston through thepiston hollow and the first and discharge 'orifices when the valve forthe discharge orifice is open, the relative sizes of said orifices beingsuch as to create back-pressure between the open discharge orifice andthe first mentioned orifice, by reason of the fluid flow from said mainpassageway through said third orifice into the piston hollow, of amagnitude to reduce the rate of fluid flow from the upper cylinderchamber through the first mentioned orifice into the piston hollow,below the full-discharge capacity of said first mentioned orifice; therestricted fluid-discharge from the upper cylinder chamber allowing theconsequently predominant pressure in the lower cylinder chamber to movethe piston in a direction to open the main valve; and means associatedwith the discharge-orifice-valve to delay its closure for apredetermined period after it has been manually opened.

11. In,a f'lushometer, a body member having inlet and outlet openingsand a main fluid passageway from inlet to outlet, a main valve movableto and from passageway-closing position at a point intermediate theinlet and outlet and normally held in closing position, a cylinder, apiston in the cylinder and connected to the valve in a manner wherebypiston reciprocation moves the valve as above, there being an orificethrough one of the walls defining a given cylinder chamber at one sideof the piston, the cylinder chamber at the other side of the pistonbeing in 15 n., an)

communication with said passageway at the inlet side of the valve, therebeing a control passageway from said orifice and discharging at theoutlet side of the main valve, there being an orifice and a valvetherefore for controlling the discharge from the control passageway,manually actuated means for opening said orifice valve, and there beinga third orifice allowing cornmunication between said main passageway atthe inlet side of the main valve and the'control passageway at a pointintermediate the first mentioned and valved orifices, the vthirdmentioned orifice being of greater effective opening than the firstmentioned orifice and the second mentioned orifice being of greatereffective opening than the third mentioned orifice, the sizes of thefirst mentioned and third orifices being factors in determining the rateof fluid flow into said given cylinder chamber when said valved orificeis closed, such fluid flow pressing the piston in a direction to closethe main valve, and the sizes of all said orifices being factors indetermining the rate of fluid-discharge from said given cylinder chamberthrough the control passageway when said valved orifice 'is open, therelative sizes of said orifices being such as to create backpressurebetween the open valved orifice and the first mentioned orifice, byreason of the fiuidfiow from said main passageway through said thirdorifice into the control passageway, of a magnitude to reduce the rateof fluid-flow, from the given cylinder chamber through the firstmentioned orifice into the control passageway, below the full dischargecapacity of said firstmentioned orifice; the restricted fluid-dischargefrom the given cylinder chamber allowing the consequently predominantpressure in the other cylinder chamber to move the piston in a directionto open the main valve; and means associated with the orifice-valve todelay its closure for a predetermined period after it has been manuallyopened.

12. In a fiushometer, a body member having inlet and outlet openings anda main fiuid passageway from inlet to outlet, a main valve movable toand from passageway-closing position at a point intermediate the inletand outlet and normally held in closing position. a vertically arrangedcylinder, a piston in the cylinder and having a hollow, said pistonbeing connected to' the valve in a manner whereby piston reciprocationmoves the valve as above, there being an orifice opening from the pistonhollow to the cylindcr chamber above the piston, the cylinder chamberbelow the piston being in communication with said passageway at theinlet side of the valve, a discharge orifice opening from the pistonhollow to the outlet side of the main valve, a valve for controlling thedischarge from the piston hollow through the discharge orifice, manuallyactuated means for opening the discharge valve, and there being a thirdorifice opening through the side of the piston from the main passagewayat the inlet side of the main valve to the piston hollow at a pointintermediate the first mentioned and discharge orifice, the thirdmentioned orifice being of' greater efiective opening than the firstmentioned orifice and the second mentioned orifice being of greatereffective opening vthan the third mentioned orifice, the sizes of thefirst and third mentioned orifices being factors in determining the rateof fluid flow into the cylinder chamber above the piston when the valvefor the discharge orifice is closed, such fluid fiow-press ing thepiston in a direction to close the main valve, and the sizes of all saidorifices being factors in determining the rate .of fluid-discharge fromthe cylinder chamber above the piston hollow and the first and dischargeorifices when the valve for the discharge orifice is open, the relativesizes of said orifices being such as to create back-pressure between theopen discharge orifice and first mentioned orifice, by reason of thefluid flow from said main passageway through said third orifice into thepiston hollow, of. a magnitude to reduce the rate of fluid fiow from theupper cylinder chamber through the first mentioned orifice into thepiston hollow, below the full-discharge capacity of said first mentionedorifice; the restricted fluid-discharge from the upper cylinder chamberallowing the consequently predominant pressure in the lower cylinderchamber to move the piston in a direction to open the main valve; andmeans associated with the discharge-orifice-valve to delay its closurefor a predetermined period after it has been manually opened.

13. In a fiushometer, a body member having inlet and outlet openings anda main fluid passageway from inlet to outlet, a main valve movablevertically to and from passageway-closing position at a pointintermediate the vinlet and outlet and normally held in closingposition, fiuid being freed for passage from inlet through outlet whenthe main valve is initially opened, and fluid pressure operated meansfor opening and closing the main valve and including a verticalcylinder. a piston in the cylinder and connected to the valve in amanner whereby piston reciprocation moves the valve as above, thecylinder chambers at opposite sides of the piston being normally incommunication with said passageway at the inlet side of the valve, therebeing a control passageway from a relatively restricted orifice openingto the cylinder chamber above the piston and discharging through asecond orifice at the outlet side of' the main valve, an auxiliary tiltvalve carried by and movable with the main valve and having a dependingstem, said tilt valve normally closing said second orifice and beingadapted to be tilted out of orifice-closing position; the communicationbetween the inlet side of the main iiuid passageway and said upperchamber being by way of a third orifice opening from said inlet sidevtosaid control passageway at a point between said restricted orifice andthe auxiliary valve, the third orifice being of greater effectiveopening than the restricted orifice, and the second orifice being ofgreater effective opening than the third orifice; manually actuatedmeans forv tilting the auxiliary valve open and thereby swinging saidmember directly in a radial plane of the body, and a retainer associatedwith the tilt valve and adapted to delay its closure for a predeterminedperiod and then unrestrainedly permit its closure, said retainerembodying a latch on the body and movable transversely of' the body axisto latchingly engage the depending member when it is so swung, saiddepending member being subsequently movable vertically clear of thatlatch member without transverse movement of the latch member and withoutthe latch member ofiering restraint to such vertical movement when themain valve lifts the tilt valve a predetermined distance. y

l ELIHU C. WILSON.

